This is How My Day Began
1st Avenue station on the L Train, 8:30am.
And unfortunately, it’s only gone downhill since then.
Little to no content today, folks. I’d love to tell you about the ads for the menswear store in Utah that claimed to have over “8,000 missionary-tested suits in stock,” but it will have to wait.
This entry was posted on Monday, February 11th, 2008 at 1:49 pm and is filed under Subway Stupidity. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Chris says:crucial. The L can be a bitch when it wants to be.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
lozo says:if you’re not going to reverse cowgirl test the suits, what’s the point?
February 11th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
brookLyn gaL says:Why would anyone still wait at that point, unless they were at the edge of the platform? Since you’re not in Brooklyn and therefore have the option, it would definitely be a million times faster to take the M14 or walk than to wait for a train with enough room to come by.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Chris says:brookLyn gaL: That’s exactly what I did. I took this picture, said, “oh, fuck this,” went back upstairs and took a really, really crowded M14.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Jay says:I bet the guy sitting across on the other side of that train station is laughing is ass off right now
February 11th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Some asshole says:I have ZERO/NONE/NADA/ZILCH empathy for anyone who lives in Manhattan, and complains about the L train commute.
Walk half a mile to Union Square you rich lazy bastards, a luxury those of us who live in BK don’t have.
Don’t feel like walking? Take the bus, or a cab. If you can afford to live within walking distance to 14th and 1st Ave, you can afford a cab to work. Stop complaining, no one cares.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
brookLyn gaL says:Charleston- “If you can afford to live within walking distance to 14th and 1st Ave, you can afford a cab to work.”
Where on earth did you come up with that idea? What planet do YOU live on? I challenge you to find any statistical evidence to back that up.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Teresa says:Some asshole - In case you haven’t noticed, it’s freezing out today. Don’t be such a whiny boroughs-living hater asshole.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Faulk says:Leave for work earlier. I am on the L train at around 7:50 in the morning and rarely encounter any issues.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: Go and tell the low-income residents of Campos Plaza or Jacob Riis Houses to take a cab to work. No, really, go ahead. Say it to their faces. I’d love to see what happens.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
eric the beehivehairdresser says:I think a good title for the above photo is “Walking Dead”.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Caroline says:I was there at 8:10 AM and it was about a third as crowded.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
nathan says:or go to work later… i caught the train at 9:15 and got a seat, read my book. you poor 9-5′ers…and i live in greenpoint to boot!
February 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
StuyGirl says:I hate that Beaglesworth guy.
And I’ll bet he makes more money than I do, too.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Some asshole says:Teresa: It is cold out there. Life’s tough, get a helmet.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Some asshole says:Stuygirl: I highly doubt it.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Some asshole says:Chris: Ok, they’re the exception. Anyone else can’t really complain.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: Since I’ve already been able to call you out once, at what income level do you presume that anyone can afford to take a cab to work? Seriously, tell me. I really want to know how fucked up your perception of the East Village is.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Some asshole says:<p>Ok, I meant to say take a cab to Union Square, not to work …. either way, if you don’t like it you can move to BK. Just avoid Scenester Ave. because it’s just as bad during rush hour as 1st.</p>
February 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
StuyGirl says:Beaglesworth guy: Few are as underpaid as those who work in publishing. So, don’t doubt it. And stop complaining just because you’re not as good an apartment bargain hunter as some of us.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Some asshole says:but seriously though …. I don’t feel the slightest bit sorry for anyone who lives in Manhattan and has to wait for a crowded inbound train from BK. I doubt 5% of that platform is stuggling to pay for dinner on the 14th and 29th of the month.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Some asshole says:Try the music business sweetheart.
February 11th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: You doubt that 5% of that platform is struggling? That would be odd, since 22% of residents in the 10009 zip code live in poverty. (Source)
Learn a little about a neighborhood before you go knocking the people who live there.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Some asshole says:So I apologize to whatever fraction of that 22% have jobs and are on that platform. Wait, they prob don’t have the time from working 70 hour weeks, or the money to complain online about crowded platforms.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: They don’t have the time to wait for a subway? How do they get to work? Now you’re just being irrational because I called you out on lashing out against an entire neighborhood because a select few own million-dollar doorman condos next to rent-controlled walkups.
And I’m certainly not apologizing for doing some complaining for them just because I own a computer. I’m sure they were just as pissed as I was this morning - if not moreso. And they’re also probably happy that I put you in your place.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Sarah says:Charleston, I actually have the money to take a cab to work, every day if I felt like it (the ride home is picked up by the client anyway). I don’t do it. You know why? Because I would like to keep that money. I have much better uses for it.
I live in the city precisely so that I can use public transit and not throw away my money on unnecessary car-trips. Well-off people have the same legitimate expectation of functioning transit (paid for by our tax dollars, mind you) as anybody else.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
rottweilertom.blogspot.com says:thank you for expressing why I left NYC.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Midwesterner in NYC says:I agree with Some asshole. Simply based on the fact of how can anyone argue with someone who has given such great advice on the intended demographic of Dr. Phil.
http://www.topix.com/forum/who/snafu/TS901MER68DL9RDAA/p5
So Manhattan and Midwest Housewives are on your angry list right now? Unless of course we are graced by two angry commenters with his name in this world.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Some asshole says:Chris: 22%
Sarah: Well off people can have legitimate expectations of mass transit. They just aren’t as entitled to complain about it.
Midwesterner in NYC: You neglected to reference my introspective comments approved on the New York Times City Room website regarding a completely different topic. Apparently they agree I know what I’m talking about. Besides, the Dr. Phil reference … you’re taking that completely out of context. The man was psycoanalyzing Lean Spears on national television for an hour. I leave you with that.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: Oh, how wonderful! You’ve had comments approved on New York Times City Room? Guess what? So have I and tens of thousands of others. I had no idea that made me an expert on every subject on the face of the earth!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Some asshole says:22%
February 11th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Todd says:“Well off people can have legitimate expectations of mass transit. They just aren’t as entitled to complain about it.”
Are you insane? I mean, seriously. Are you just acting like an asshole or are you really bat-shit crazy?
February 11th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Irish says:@Some asshole: Um I have plenty of friends that live in Manhattan in CHEAPER apartments then I do in the outerB… turns out SOME people know how to live in 3 bedroom apartments, share a bedroom or find good deals without getting ripped off by a broker.
Bottom line who the effin hell takes a cab to work?!?! Cabs are for when you are too drunk to take a subway back to Queens.
PS Chris you are fabulous and I love the beautiful photos you take with your phone! OMG I bet its a really nice one because you are clearly ballin in the dough over there in the east village money bags!
February 11th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
beej says:I am an expert on this subject.
Well, I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Some asshole says:Chris: Upon examining your photo, I realize I can’t definitively identify one minority, but more than a few non minorities. In regards to you 22% poverty level, what percentage is unemployed and unlikely to be awake at that hour waiting for a train? The problem with the L line, what slows it down, is all the slow and lazy people who take the 1st ave stop that expenentially slow down every train behind them.
Tomorrow morning I will outside the 1st Manhattan bound L Train stop between the hours of 7-10am, asking people how much money they to confirm the median income of 1st ave rush hour riders. If you have any questions, please feel to come up and shake my hand, maybe we can get a cup of coffee. I’ll be wearing a name tag that clearly states I have enjoyed wasting all your time with my unfounded rants on this blog I’ve never been to before until my friend sent me the link this morning … Todd, you broke my heart .. I knew it was you!
February 11th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Katherine says:I feel like of the argument of money made along the L train line is based on the fact of well…have you ever LOOKED for apartments (especially without a broker) in that area? Have you ever seen the prices of condos in the area? While I’m sure some people have gotten steals…I doubt the majority in the area have (as far as people living on their own or only with one person…).
But in general, come on…there’s some validity to the general argument. I have an internship, am working on a PhD and only get money from freelance work but for the short distance that the L train runs in Manhattan, I could afford the cab ride. Actually, it wouldn’t be worth my effort and I’d walk. And yes, it’s cold out. But people still walk. I walked two miles today to not have to pay the extra metrocard fare (since it takes three buses to get to where I need to go on M/W). In general, even from Brooklyn…it’s not a long commute even with a wait.
Try living an hour into Queens where cab rides from Midtown cost right under 40 dollars and the slightest sight of rain halts subway service.
February 11th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Irish says:Maybe some people just don’t like walking in the G-damn cold. I trained for a marathon but you better believe I’d still take the subway one stop from penn station to port authority… not because I’m lazy but because I mother effin hate the cold… and I’m allowed to hate the cold because this is America and I have every right in the world to hate the cold and more importantly hate walking in the cold. Bottom line if I face the cold or not there are still going to be subway delays… no matter how many people can afford cabs or how many people live in poverty in the east village.
BRING IT ON SUMMER.
PS: I also wholeheartedly endorse drop off laundry service
February 12th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Todd says:Some asshole:
Logical point: If more people who can afford a cab decide to take one instead of taking the subway, rush-hour traffic would be even worse then it already is. You whining about people who are whining about the subway is counter-intuitive.
Fun and obvious points: Most people don’t take the comments of musicians seriously. I mean, come on. You’ve posted your name as ‘Some asshole’. Sorry to break your heart, but I think it’s pretty obvious that you’re a tool.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Ben K. says:I am so unbelievably sad I missed this bitch fight. Wow.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:22 am
StuyGirl says:Chris, I totally cannot decide whether I want you to give this jerk a Commie, because he obviously wants the attention.
Really? Well-off people can’t complain? Did he really just say that?
February 12th, 2008 at 9:21 am
UnaDater says:FUCKIN L, last week the train stop all together in the Burg and I had to share a cab into the city. However, I got 2 numbers that way.
Righto!
February 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Chris says:Some asshole: I guess you chickened out, because I didn’t see you this morning. Damn shame, too, because I wanted to slug you in the gut and take your wallet to pay for my cab to work this morning, since I can’t afford it myself.
You keep throwing around 22% as though it means nothing, and yet you never gave me the one number I asked for: at what income level do you presume that anyone can afford to take a cab?
Until you give me an answer, this debate is over.
February 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Jew says:Some asshole- So… you work in the music industry, you live in BK, you have no sympathy for others (aka hate anyone who you believe to be better off than you)and you like harassing Chris because of perceived slights and stutter in the form of numbers when he puts you in your place. Well I’m not going to insult you because i think your life is sad enough already. Good luck though! I think I’m going to take cabs to and from work everyday from now on, throwing money out the window the whole way in your honor.
:)Have a great day!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 10:38 am
lozo says:reverse cowgirl? missionary? get it?
February 12th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Chris says:lozo Yes, yes, I got it the first time. Thanks for the reminder, though. I wish the commenters on this post had just stuck to sex position jokes.
February 12th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Jew says:Is the Charleston Chew a sex position? If not it should be. It would involve balls somehow.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Irish says:Jew - Um. Yea.
February 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Some asshole says:You’re all bunch of tool bags. None of you read between the lines, I just enjoy getting a rise out of people on blogs wasting their time. It ammuses me. Chris — 22%.
February 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Teresa says:Charleston: Oh, you’re so clever! You must be so happy with yourself. Now that EVERYONE thinks you’re the biggest piece of shit that has ever walked the earth, you must be so proud! Why don’t you go take a shit - because you’re full of it asshole. And learn to spell properly! It’s AMUSES not AMMUSES - dumb ass!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Chris says:Some asshole: You get a rise out of people wasting their time on blogs… by wasting your own time on blogs.
February 12th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Lauren says:So, since well off people can’t complain… can we just completely eradicate the Republican party, or what?
February 12th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Todd says:Hey now, I’m still a registered Republican
February 13th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Mak says:…it was FREEZING on Monday. I walked down the L stairs and walked right back up and onto the M14D.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Some asshole says:Keep a look out for future blog comments from me. Google: Some asshole
I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Some asshole says:btw - I was serious about the 1st Ave stop being uneccesary … they should just brick up the entrance, and skip that stop.
February 13th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Lynn says:I think if Manhattanites can complain about ONE train - it should be the L - cause Some asshole is kind of right - in that it’s not so far to walk to U.Sqr from 1st or 8th or wherever….
But(!) that’s why we complain! The stupid L is usually just as slow as walking and that’s ridiculous! Also - I almost don’t believe C.B. lives in the tri-state area if he thinks he ppl can afford a cab to work just like a train - I live in Hell’s Kitchen and work in the music industry at a company across town and I walk everyday (even in the cold) - it’s a 27 min. walk that is shortened only 10 minutes by the E train if I take it. So the train is not that helpful - also, a cab costs me almost $10 (which is like 2 lunches!) and still takes me as long, if not longer than a train. And It’s just barely faster than walking.
Cabs are really pretty worthless if you’re in a hurry during rush hour.
My point being that the L DOES suck - we should all complain about it - loudly.
And that just b/c people have money doesn’t mean they shouldn’t complain about the efficiency of our public transportation. That makes no sense…
if anything the people with money should complain more - and to the right people. It’s not a wise thing to want only poor, non-influential people to take mass transit…that will only lead to more decay and bigger social gaps.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Jew says:Lol! Chris you’re funny. So is some asshole. I love people that state their opinion, get OWNED, and then go: “oh i just love getting a rise out of people! That’s why i do what i do… for the love of looking like some asshole! yea! 22%!”